Liquid transferring apparatus



Oct. 17, 1939. H. w. MATTSON LIQUID TRANSFERING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1939. H. w. MATTSON LIQUID TRANSFERRING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 193s 0t. 17, 1939. w MATTSON 2,176,635

LIQUID TRANS FERRING APPARATUS Filed 001:. 22, 1938- s Sheets-Sheet s F I El.

Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNETED STATES PAET FFEQE.

LIQUID TRANSFERRING APPARATUS Application October 22, 1938, Serial No. 236,513

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in means for transferring volatile liquids from bulk supply tanks and the like to the tanks of trucks and similar vehicles.

In transferring liquids, such as gasoline, which volatilize readily, large evaporization losses are incident to tank loading because of the turbulence and spraying of the stream of incoming liquid where the loading is done by freely discharging the liquid into the tank through the opening in the top of the same. In open filling, the possibility of filling the tank until the fluid runs out of the filling opening, is always present with its attendant danger. The main object of my invention is to provide simple, relatively inexpensive and practical means for loading such liquids into truck tanks and the like.

Another object is to eliminate the open filling of a tank.

A further object is to prevent loss of vapor during the filling of a tank with a volatile liquid.

Another object is to reduce fire hazard when handling gasoline or the like.

An additional object is to furnish a speedily operated means for attaching the liquid-conveying and vapor-conveying pipes to the tank to be filled.

A further object is to supply a cap or plug which may be substituted for those now commonly used to close the man-hole of a truck tank or the like, and which is of such construction as to allow filling of the tank either by the open method or by my improved closed method.

A still further object is to provide loading means including a device controlled by the level of the liquid in the receiving tank to cut off the flow of vapor through the vapor pipe whereby the fiow of liquid from the supply tank to the receiving tank is automatically cut off.

Having now indicated, in a general way, the nature and purpose of my invention, I will proceed to a detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus shown in use in transferring a volatile liquid from a bulk supply tank to a truck tank; portions of the tanks being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my improved cap and fioat unit shown detached and in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section View of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cap with its intermediate partition and cover shown in open position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan View of the V cap with the partition or inner cover shown in closed position and with the outer cover open.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of my improved filling nozzle.

Fig. 8 is another elevation of the cap and float unit taken at right angles to the View in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 6 but showing in addition a portion of the truck or receiving tank and my improved nozzle and the hose pipes with which it is connected.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be observed that H! designates a supply tank and II a receiving tank. If the supply tank is used in connection with a truck tank, I will also employ a conventional loading rack l2.

In accordance with my invention the volatile liquid passes from the tank It to the tank I! through a pipe line [3 having a flexible portion i4, and the vapors pass from the tank II to the tank l0 through a pipe line I5 having a flexible portion I6.

A control valve H is interposed in the line l3, and another control valve I8 is interposed in the line Hi. The valve i7 is preferably of a type that is opened by hand and automatically closed. For example, the passageway through this valve may be controlled by a fiap l9 carried by a pivotal shaft 26 which extends to the exterior of the valve and is fixed to an arm 2| that may be swung in one direction by means of .a spring 22 or its equivalent.

The valve l8 may be of similar construction but controlled solely by the movement of vapors therethrough. For example, it may have a closing flap 23 that is fixed to a pivotal shank 24 which extends to the exterior of the valve. A cam 25 is fixed to the projecting end of the shaft 2% and cooperates with the end of the arm 25 to retain the latter in raised position so long as vapor is traveling from tank II tothe tank Hi.

It will be understood that when the flap I9 is moved to open position by raisingthe arm 2i, liquid will commence to flow from tank iii to tank ll. As soon as liquid begins to enter tank ll, vapors will start to fiow in a reverse direction through the line It; and they will act on the flap 23 to move that flap into open position. In doing this the cam 25 will be moved into a position where it will act as an abutment against the upper end of the arm 2|, so as to retain that arm in uppermost position. Of course, as soon as this happens the operator can release the arm 2|.

When the flow of vapor through the line I5 is cut on by means hereinafter described, the flap '23 will return to closed position, and this will cause the cam 25 to release the arm 2| and the spring 22 will then cause the flap l9 to move to closed position and cut ofi flow of liquid through the valve IT.

The improved cap and float unit forming part of the invention is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9, and by reference to Fig. 9, it will be noted that I use such unit in connection with the ordinary man-hole or filling port 26 of the tank Iii. Such port is provided with internal threads to which I attach the lower element or base 27 of my cap. This base has external screw threads 28 to engage the threads of the man-hole and also has an external annular shoulder 29 to abut against the upper end of the manhole.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the base has a relatively large semi-circular port or opening 35 through which the nozzle of a conventional loading device may be inserted, if it should be necessary to employ the open method of loading in putting a number of gallons of Volatile liquid in the tank The base 21 is also provided with a liquidreceiving port 3| and a vapor-discharge port 32. A drop leg or pipe 33 has its upper end secured to the base and the passageway through said pipe registers with the port 3|.

An intermediate member or inner cap 34 which is preferably circular like the base 27, is hingedly connected to the latter as indicated at 35, and the member 34 is provided at one side with a gasket ring 36 and a diametrical gasket 31; such gaskets being adapted to engage the upper surface of the base when the inner cover is closed to form seals about the openings 3| and 32 of the base. The member 34 is also provided with ports 38 and 39 designed to register respectively with the ports 3| and 32 when the member 34 is in closed position, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 9. In such position the cap structure is adapted to cooperate with my special dual nozzle illustrated in Figs, '7 and 9. Such nozzle has a pair of sleeves 40 and 4| connected together by a cross piece 42 and is provided at one end with external serrations 43 to facilitate attachment of the liquidconveying hose M (Fig. 9) and the vapor-eonveying hose i6. Sleeve 48 is provided at its opposite end with an elongated nipple 44, and the sleeve 4| is provided with a shorter nipple 45. In use the nipple 44 is adapted to be inserted through the holes 39 and 32 of the cap, and a sealing gasket 46 at the lower end of the sleeve 40 is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the base 21 and to seal the joint. The shorter nipple 45 extends into the port 3|, and a gasket 47 at the lower end of the sleeve 4| engages the upper surface of the base 2'! for sealing purposes. For the purpose of holding the hose in connection with the cap and maintaining the seals, the nozzle is provided with a manually operated hook 48 which is pivotally mounted on the cross piece 42 and is adapted to interlock with the keeper 49 fixed to and projecting upwardly from the lower cover 34.v When the device is in use, as shown in Fig. 9, the nipple 44 extends for some distance below the base 21 and forms a seat for a floatoperated valve 58 that is designed to cut off the flow of vapor through the line l5 when the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level or elevation. The valve SE) is connected to a float 5| by any suitable means which will permit the valve to be adjusted vertically to accommodate tanks of various capacities. For example, a threaded stem 52 is mounted on and rigidly secured to the float and projects upwardly therefrom. An internally threaded cap or hollow nut 53 is threaded on the stem and supports the valve 50. The stem and nut are preferably provided lengthwise thereof with calibrated or spaced apertures 54 designed to receive the wires 55 of seals 56 which prevent unauthorized adjustment of the nut on the stem.

The float is provided internally with a guide sleeve 51 which slidably engages the pipe 33 for the purpose of guiding the float. A wire cage 58 is secured to the pipe 33 and serves to guide, protect and stabilize the float.

The cap is completed by an outer or top closure 59 that is also circular in shape and is hinged to the lower closure as indicated at 63; the hinges 35 and 60 being arranged at one side of the cap.

At the diametrically opposite side of the cap, the intermediate member or inner closure 34 is provided with projecting ears 6| that are connected together by a cross bar 62.

A lower latch 53 is pivotally connected to the cross bar and is adapted to engage lugs 64 projecting from the base, for the purpose of securing the parts 2'! and 34 together. An upper latch 65 is also pivotally mounted on the cross bar and is designed to engage lugs 66 projecting from the outer cover 59 for securing the parts 35 and 59 together.

At this point it will be noted that the member 34 has a solid portion which covers the opening 36 when the intermediate member 34 is in closed position. It will also be observed that the outer closure 59 is preferably of dome-shape and provided at its lower edge with a sealing ring 61, which engages the upper surface of the member 34 when the cover 59 is closed. Obviously when the parts are closed, the sealing gaskets prevent any loss of liquid through evaporization.

In use the ordinary plug or cap of the receiving tank is replaced by my improved cap and float unit shown in Figs. 3 and 8, and when the tank is to be refilled, the truck or other vehicle carrying the same will transport the tank to the bulk supply station. There, the latch 65 will be released and the outer closure 59 will be thrown back on its hinge 60. Then the dual nozzle at the ends of the hose l4 and H will be attached to the cap as illustrated in Fig. 9. When this is accomplished, the operator will swing the arm 2| of the valve 1 upwardly, and liquid will flow from tank Hi to tank I As soon as vapors start to flow through the line Hi, the flap 23 of the valve |8 will be moved to open position under the force of such vapors, and this will bring the cam 25 in position to retain the arm 2| and hold the valve in open position. As the result, any vapors evolved from the liquid entering the tank I I will be conveyed back into the supply tank and will not be dissipated into the atmosphere where they might not only be lost but would create a fire hazard.

As soon as the liquid in the receiving tank reaches a predetermined level it will lift the float 5| and cause the valve 50 to seat against the nipple 44 and cut off the flow of vapors through the line |5 toward the tank I0. Consequently, the flap 23 will close and move the cam 25 to a position Where it will release the arm 2! and permit the spring 22 to close the flap l9, and this will cause automatic cut oil of both the liquid and vapor. Then the nozzle can be detached from the cap and the outer cover 59 may be closed.

I have designed the cap to be used in the open tank method to take care of a situation where the tank of a truck, after a certain amount of gasoline had been dispensed, would not contain a sufiicient amount to fill the next order. Under such circumstances, the operator could return to the bulk supply station, and the additional amount of gasoline required could be introduced through the hole 38 by the conventional nozzle used in the open filling system.

While I have disclosed a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might obviously be changes made in the form, construction and arrangement of the constituent elements as well as their modus operandi without departing from the spirit of the invention as comprehended in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described. a liquid-conveying pipe line adapted to transfer liquid from a bulk supply tank to a receiving tank, a vapor line adapted to convey vapor from the receiving tank to the bulk supply tank. a valve interposed in the liquid line and adapted to be opened by the operator to permit liquid to flow from the supply tank to the receiving tank, a valve interposed in the vapor line and controlled by the passage of vapor therethrough, and means operatively connecting said valves to cause the valve in the vapor line to hold the valve in the liquid line in open position as lon as vapor is passing through the vapor line and to permit the valve in the liquid line to close when vapor ceases to flow through the vapor line from the receiving tank to the supply tank.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a liquid-conveying pipe line adapted to transfer liquid from a bulk supply tank to a receiving tank, a vapor line adapted to convey vapor from the receiving tank to the bulk supply tank, a valve interposed in the liquid line and adapted to be opened by the operator to permit liquid to fiow from the supply tank to the receiving tank, a valve interposed in the vapor line and controlled by the passage of vapor therethrough, means operatively connecting said valves to cause the valve in the vapor line to hold the valve in the liquid line in open position as long as vapor is passing through the vapor line and to permit the valve in the liquid line to close when vapor ceases to flow throughthe vapor line from the receiving tank to the supply tank, and means cooperating with the valve in the liquid line for automatically closing that valvev when the flow of vapor through the vapor line is stopped.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a liquid-conveying pipe line adapted to transfer liquid from a bulk supply tank to a receiving tank, a vapor line adapted to convey vapor from the receiving tank to the bulk supply tank, a valve interposed in the liquid line and adapted to be opened by the operator to permit liquid to flow from the supply tank to the receiving tank, a valve interposed in the vapor line and controlled by the passage of vapor therethrough, means operatively connecting said valves to cause the valve in the vapor line to hold the valve in the liquid line in open position as long as vapor is passing through the vapor line and to permit the valve in the liquid line to close when vapor ceases to flow through the vapor line from the receiving tank to the supply tank, the last-mentioned means comprising an arm pivotally mounted on the liquid control valve, and a cam on the vapor control valve coacting with said arm for holding the latter in position.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a liquid-conveying pipe line adapted to transfer liquid from a bulk supply tank to a receiving tank, a vapor line adapted to convey vapor from the receiving tank to the bulk supply tank, a valve interposed in the liquid line and adapted to be opened by the operator to permit liquid to flow from the supply tank to the receiving tank, a valve interposed in the vapor line and controlled by the passage of vapor therethrough, means operatively connecting said valves to cause the valve in the vapor line to hold the valve in the liquid line in open position as long as vapor is passing through the vapor line and to permit the valve in'the liquid line to close when vapor ceases to flow through the vapor line from the receiving tank to the supply tank, and liquid level control means in the receiving tank cooperating with the vapor line to shut oiT flow of vapor through that line when the liquid in the receiving tank reaches a predetermined level.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a relatively large port and a pair of smaller ports, an inner cover member movably connected with the base member and covering the large port of the base member, said inner cover member having a pair of ports in register with the smaller ports of the base member, and an outer cover movably connected to one of said members and closing the ports of the inner cover member.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a relatively large port and a pair of smaller ports, an inner cover member movably connected with the base member and covering the large port of the base member, said inner cover member having a'pair of ports in register with the smaller ports of the base member, an outer cover movably connected to one of said members and closing the ports of the inner cover member, and sealing means between. the base member and inner cover member sealing off the large port from the smaller ports of the base.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a relatively large port and a. pair of smaller ports, an inner cover member movably connected with the base member and covering the large port of the base member, said inner cover member having a pair of ports in register with the smaller ports of the base member, an outer cover movably connected to one of said members and closing the ports of the inner cover member, and latching means securing the inner cover member to the base member and the outer cover to the inner cover member.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a relatively large port and a pair of smaller ports, an inner cover member movably connected with the base member and covering the large port of the base member, said inner cover member having a pair of ports in register with the smaller ports of the base member, an outer cover movably connected to one of said members and closing the ports of the inner cover member, and a pipe depending from the base member and having its interior communicating with one of the smaller ports of that member.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a relatively large port and a pair of smaller ports, an inner cover member movably connected with the base member and covering the large port of the base member, said inner cover member having a pair of ports in register with the smaller ports of the base member, an

K- outer cover movably connected to one of said members and closing the ports of the inner cover member, a pipe depending from the base member and having its interior communicating with one of the smaller ports of that member, a float slidably guided by said pipe and a valve carried by the float and arranged in alignment with the other smaller port of the base member.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a pair of ports, a pipe member depending from the base member and having its passageway in alignment with'one of said ports, a vertically movable float slidably mounted on the pipe member, and a valve carried by the float and arranged in alignment with the other port of the base member, said valve being vertically adjustable relatively to said float.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with a pair of ports, a pipe member depending from the base member and having its passageway in alignment with one of said ports, a vertically movable float slidably mounted on the pipe member, a valve carried by the float and arranged in alignment with the other port of the base member, and means for vertically adjusting the valve relatively to the float and for locking the valve in various positions of adjustment.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a receiving tank and provided with a plurality of ports, a nozzle having a plurality of sleeves, parallel nipples projecting from the sleeves and freely movable into and out of said ports, a supply tank, a liquid-conveying pipe line adapted to transfer liquid from said supply tank to one of said sleeves, a vapor line adapted to convey vapor from the other one of said sleeves to said supply tank, a valve interposed in the liquid line and adapted to be opened by the operator to permit liquid to flow from the supply tank to the receiving tank, a valve interposed in the vapor line and controlled by the passage of vapor therethrough, and means operatively connecting said valves to cause the valve in the vapor line to hold the valve in the liquid line in open position as long as vapor is passing through the vapor line and to permit the valve in the liquid line to close when vapor ceases to flow through the vapor line from the receiving tank to the supply tank.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with external threads adapted to threadedly engage said filling port, said base member having a pair of ports, a pipe depending from the base member and having its passageway in alignment with one of said ports, said base member also having a larger port, an inner cover member hingedly connected to the base member and closing said larger port, the inner cover member having ports in alignment with said pair of ports of the base member, and an outer cover member hingedly connected to one of the other members and closing the ports in the inner cover member.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a cap structure adapted to be attached to the filling port of a tank and comprising a base member provided with external threads adapted to threadedly engage said filling port, said base member having a pair of ports, a pipe depending from the base member and having its passageway in alignment with one of said ports, said base member also having a larger port, an inner cover member hingedly connected to the base member and closing said larger port, the inner cover member having ports in alignment with said pair of ports of the base member, an outer cover member hingedly connected to one of the other members and closing the ports in the inner cover member, and latching means securing said members to one another.

HARRY W. MATTSON. 

